NB: The last lines of this Communiqué read: The Latin Patriarchate remains steadfast in its commitment to the Christian community and the entire population of Gaza. They will not be forgotten, nor will they be abandoned. This the first time in nineteen months of genocidal mania unleashed by Israel that any religious institution has issued such an unequivocal statement of solidarity with Gaza’s suffering population, whatever their faith. They will not be forgotten, nor will they be abandoned. Sadly, they have been abandoned by world governments thus far, and we owe thanks to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in Gaza for restoring our faith in human conscience. However, Dr. Fadl Naim, Director of Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza is right to ask why the Israeli govenment should discriminate between injured people on the basis of their religion, and why all those who need medical treatment should not have access to it.
God bless you and all the innocents. Dilip
BULLETIN OF VATICAN DIPLOMACY
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in Gaza
Issue XXIII (18 July 2025)
Yesterday, Thursday 17 July 2025 saw the military attack by Israel on the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza. Pope Leo XIV expressed his concern, and the Vatican deemed the attack unacceptable. President Trump called the Israeli Primer Minister displeased, a fact disclosed by the White House spokeswoman.
Today, Friday 18 July 2025, the world awoke to the news of a call by the Israeli Prime Minister to the Holy Father in which he recognised that the attack had been made by mistake, a fact that the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem challenged. (Emphasis added, DS). The Holy Father urged for the war to end and stressed the suffering of civilians.1
And official summary by the Holy See press office was provided as follows:
Holy See Press Office Press Release: Telephone conversation of the Holy Father with the Prime Minister of Israel, 18.07.2025
This morning, in his residence at Castel Gandolfo, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, following yesterday’s military attack by the Israeli army that struck the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, killing three people and injuring others, including some seriously.
During the conversation, the Holy Father repeated his appeal for a renewed push for negotiations, a ceasefire and an end to the war. He again expressed his concern about the tragic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose children, elderly and sick are paying an agonizing price
Pope Leo calls for ceasefire in Gaza during phone call with Israeli PM Netanyahu – Vatican News
Finally, His Holiness reiterated the urgent need to protect places of worship and, especially, the faithful and all people in Palestine and Israel.2
With the permission of Israel, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem together with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, departed for Gaza together with an Argentinean priest, a colleague of P. Gabriel Romanelli, Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish, Gaza. They also brought with them tons of food and medical aid, and the agreement with Israel that those severely injured could be transported back to Jerusalem.
As the convoy arrived at the Gaza border, the Holy Father called Cardinal Pizzaballa to wish them safe passage, to express his solidarity with them and those they were about to visit and with the command to Cardinal Pizzaballa to do anything possible to end the war. Thus, the Vatican Press Office reported:
As they entered the enclave, Pope Leo XIV placed a call to Patriarch Pizzaballa to “express his closeness, care, prayer, support, and desire to do everything possible to achieve not only a ceasefire but also an end to this tragedy.” “Pope Leo repeatedly stated that it is time to stop this slaughter, that what has happened is unjustifiable, and that we must ensure there are no more victims,” said the Patriarch, speaking to Vatican News. Speaking on behalf of the Latin Patriarchate and all the Churches of the Holy Land, Patriarch Pizzaballa thanked the Pope for “his solidarity and the prayers he had already assured us of,” while expressing the gratitude of the entire Catholic community of Gaza.3
The Ecumenical Delegation arrived safe in Gaza and visited the Catholic and Greek Orthodox parishes. They would probably stay in Gaza until Sunday.
PRESS Communiqué Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem 18 July 2025 Jerusalem
Gaza Cardinal Pizzaballa and Patriarch Theophilos III head Ecclesiastical Delegation to Gaza Following Strike on Church Compound
In the aftermath of the grievous strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, together with His Beatitude Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, entered Gaza this morning as part of an ecclesiastical delegation, expressing the shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land and their concern for the community of Gaza.
During their stay, the delegation will meet with members of the local Christian community, offer condolences and solidarity, and stand alongside those affected by the recent events. His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa will personally assess the humanitarian and pastoral needs of the community, to help guide the Church’s continued presence and response.
At the request of the Latin Patriarchate, and in coordination with humanitarian partners, access was secured for the delivery of essential assistance not only to the Christian Community but also to as many families as possible. This includes hundreds of tons of food supplies as well as first aid kits and urgently needed medical equipment. In addition, the Patriarchate ensured the evacuation of individuals injured in the attack to medical institutions outside Gaza where they will receive care.
We thank His Holiness Pope Leo XIV who called Cardinal Pizzaballa and Patriarch Theophilos upon entrance to Gaza to offer his support, closeness and prayers.
We pray for the safety of the delegation and the suspension of military activities during the visit. The Latin Patriarchate remains steadfast in its commitment to the Christian community and the entire population of Gaza. They will not be forgotten, nor will they be abandoned.4
Note: To all diplomats, the Holy Father will continue all efforts and all conversations to seek a permanent ceasefire, and the peace and prosperity that Gaza deserves. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has shown great courage on visiting Gaza and great ecumenical unity with Patriarch Theophilos III on undergoing this journey together. We pray for the soul of the deceased and their families and for the speedy recovery of those injured by the Israeli military attack. The Editor.
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Per kind favour of Professor M.I. Aguilar, KTS, OSB Cam Obl, PhD, FRHistS, FRSA, FRAS, FRGS, FIBG, FRAI; Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics (CSRP); St. Mary’s College, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9JU Scotland, U.K.
Forwarded to me by my former teacher, Rev Daniel O’Connor, Balmullo, Scotland
Christian leaders make rare visit to Gaza following deadly Israeli church attack
Pope Leo “again expressed his concern for the dramatic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose heartbreaking price is paid especially by children, the elderly and the sick,” according to the statement.… Dr. Fadl Naim, Director of Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, asked why those injured in the attack were able to leave when others are barred. “Is it an attempt to polish the image of the occupation, or a discriminatory act — treating the wounded differently based on religion?” he asked on X. “What about the tens of thousands of injured Palestinians who are denied their basic right to travel for treatment?”
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After the truth-shower 